Specialty Dietitian (Cystic Fibrosis)

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

CLINICAL

Be professionally and legally accountable for own work and caseload.

Work autonomously as the lead clinical specialist, in the provision of a comprehensive nutrition and dietetic service to the Adult CF service at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Lead and coordinate dietetic provision to ensure a comprehensive specialised Adult CF dietetic service is provided to approx. 180 adults attending the John Radcliffe Hospital.

This could include:

Outpatient clinics

Inpatient stays

CF Annual review appointments

Transition clinics

Home visits (joint or on own)

Work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team to ensure a holistic approach to patient care. This involves reviewing patients jointly with the Adult CF consultant and/or adult CF specialist nurse during outpatient appointments, on the ward or in the patients own home. Participate fully in the problem-solving aspects of the consultation which may involve:

changing insulin doses, regimens, and the types of insulin used.

changing the daily routine of insulin injections to fit with an individuals lifestyle and diet.

advising on the management of hypoglycaemia. interpretation of biochemistry results.

discussing dietary issues associated with therapy changes.

Provide ongoing education for the patient and their family on the ward, in outpatient clinics, at home and on the telephone as dictated by the needs of the individual and according to the agreed standards in the CF team guidelines.

To assess the nutritional status of individual patients based on anthropometric measurements e.g. weight, height, weight history as well as biochemical parameters, diet history and other validated methods of nutritional assessment as appropriate.

Obtain and analyse relevant information from different sources including medical notes, nursing notes, patient and their parents or carers, ward staff etc, in order to make a comprehensive assessment of the patients needs for management and education on diabetes.

Attend weekly Adult CF team meetings when patient care is reviewed, liaison meetings with other multi-disciplinary teams where patients joint care is planned and reviewed, case conferences, ward rounds and meetings with outside agencies.

To have responsibility for all organisation, liaison and monitoring of the dietetic aspect of the annual review process.

Responding to telephone calls for advice when specific problems with managing CF occur. These may be dietary or for advice on fluctuations in blood glucose, adjustment of insulin doses, treatment of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia associated with illness.

To communicate effectively with patients, parents/carers, family and other health professionals. Skills of negotiation, motivation, explanation and gaining consent will be used in a wide variety of and sometimes sensitive situations. The ability to communicate complex information at an appropriate level to allow understanding is essential. Barriers to communication may be evident e.g. loss of hearing, receptive and expressive problems with the formulation and understanding of language or difficulties with speaking. The use of communication aids such as letter/picture boards or games may be necessary.

Participate in research undertaken by the Adult CF team. Presentation of audit or research results at national or international conferences to promote practise and share expertise with colleagues.

To provide specialist advice, teaching and training to all members of the multidisciplinary team, regarding the nutritional management of adults with CF. This involves regular participation in in-house training of clinicians and both specialist and ward nursing staff.

Organisational

To determine priorities for own work area based on clinical need and balance patient caseload with professional demands.

To ensure the dietetic components of the diabetes service, in order for the service to obtain the best practice tariff, are provided and recorded by the dietetic team.

To collect data as required by the department, trust and outside agencies, including collation of audit data on the outcomes of CF care for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

To determine priorities for own work area based on clinical need and balance patient caseload with professional demands.

To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of patient interventions on dietetic record cards/electronic patient records. To communicate any changes in day-to-day management and dietetic interventions to appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team. This is achieved by documenting within nursing/medical notes or by means of generating a letter/report and/or updating any patient database.

PROFESSIONAL

To initiate and lead discussions on organisational, professional and clinical issues relevant to the service area. Along with the Service Managers, to be responsible for the dietetic service provided to their clinical area and its development.

To continue to develop own knowledge and skills and contribute to the development of colleagues within the MDT and the Dietetic Service. This involves:

a) taking responsibility for own continuing professional development (CPD) and provide evidence for this by maintaining a CPD portfolio. CPD involves critical evaluation of scientific papers, attending professional development meetings, working as a reflective practitioner and attending relevant internal/external courses.

b) Participating in own annual appraisal, identifying own development and training needs and setting personal development objectives with line manager.

c) Undertaking all relevant statutory and mandatory training

d) Involvement in the dietetic student training programme

e) Providing specialist education and advice to dietetic colleagues in the area of allergy via regular departmental professional update meetings

f) Attending and representing the department and lead area of work at the regional and national meetings as appropriate.

To be responsible for communicating effectively and working collaboratively with the Dietetic team, line managers, other health professionals within the MDT and other organisations to ensure a co-ordinated and evidence-based approach to the delivery of dietetic care.

To have responsibility for and lead the development, promotion and delivery of the new specialist dietetic post for patients on CF ward. This involves

a) Developing dietetic practice to ensure evidence-based practice and an equitable service delivery

b) Applying legislation, policies and procedures and making appropriate recommendations for service delivery

c) Managing development projects relevant to the clinical area, the dietetic service and the NHS organisations involved

d) Making recommendations and managing service improvement

e) Evaluating own work and that of the team, including clinical audit

f) Recognising the need to seek appropriate support

g) Active involvement in multidisciplinary team meetings, dietetic departmental meetings and discussions

To demonstrate risk management skills and a sound understanding of clinical governance and apply to the work situation.

Education and professional development responsibility:

To keep a portfolio providing evidence of continual professional development (C.P.D.). This may include critical evaluation of scientific papers, attending professional development meetings, working as a reflective practitioner and attending relevant internal/external courses.

Participate in annual appraisal, identifying own development and training needs and setting personal development objectives within an Annual Report

Actively participate in the dietetic student training program, facilitating the development of skills and knowledge, being involved in the assessment process and acting as a mentor.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Nutrition & Dietetic Degree or equivalent
• Registered with Health Care Professions Council as a Dietitian
• Evidence of successful completion of significant specialist post graduate training equivalent to Masters level in this clinical area; for example, PENG

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of leadership experience
• Evidence of a high level of specialist dietetic knowledge/skills in this clinical area as a result of experience/CPD
• Evidence of research / audit / project work

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to listen well and counsel colleagues, staff, patients and carers
• Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues
• Demonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers/mentor

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital

Headley Way

Headington, Oxford

OX3 9DU

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)